We all know that feeling of craving Chinese takeout food, but why spend money on delivery fees, or go through the trouble of picking up food at a restaurant? You can make something just as good (or dare I say better) in the comfort of your own home.
In my opinion, Chinese cuisine is one of the easiest to cook at home because it chiefly involves stir-frying and boiling, neither of which require any fancy kitchen equipment. Also, cooking your own renditions of Chinese dishes presents a healthier alternative to getting takeout. And who doesn’t want to be #healthy?
So, here is a list of Chinese food recipes that satisfy a Chinese takeout craving and incorporate common kitchen ingredients.
1. Scrambled Tomato Egg
One of the easiest Chinese food recipes, if not the easiest, is Scrambled Tomato Egg. The name itself is basically the condensed recipe: scrambled eggs + tomatoes stir-fried in a pan. This simple side dish goes well with white rice or even mixed in with some noodles for a clean, nutritious meal. It’s also super great for Chinese cuisine-themed potlucks since it’s easy to make and fun to share with friends.
#SpoonTip: Add a teaspoon of ketchup after sautéing the tomatoes with the egg for a while to intensify the sweetness of the tomato.
2. Dumplings
If you’re looking for a rewarding cooking challenge, dumplings are the recipe for you. The best part of making homemade dumplings is that you can use your favorite proteins and vegetables to make a whole bunch of different kinds of dumplings in one sitting, and then freeze them for quick impromptu meals during the week.
One of my personal favorite dumpling combinations is mixing sweet corn, napa cabbage, and minced pork for a savory yet subtly sweet flavor.
3. Soup Dumplings
On those days when you want to impress your family and friends with homemade restaurant-quality food, try this upgraded dumpling recipe that features a warm soup filling.
The moment you bite into this soft dumpling, the aromatic soup inside spills out and drenches the rest of the dumpling almost like a sauce. This recipe is sure to beat any Chinese takeout with its thin, doughy wrapping and meat-filled broth filling.
#SpoonTip: Use a spoon to pick up a soup dumpling and take a small bite of the wrapper to prevent burning your tongue.
4. Siu Mai
Continuing on the topic of special dumplings, siu mai is another type of dumpling that is surprisingly easy to make using store-bought wonton wrappers and minced meat and vegetables.
These convenient pockets of meat can be warmed up and taken to go in the morning, or eaten as a late night snack on days when you have a dim sum craving. Siu mai is especially great to make if you like chewier textures since the meat inside has the elasticity of a meatball and the thin wrapper perfectly steamed has the texture of al dente pasta (but without the hassle of a fork and knife).
5. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a staple Chinese food recipe for any meal of the day, and incorporates common Chinese flavors like soy sauce and sesame oil. It’s also the perfect end-of-the-week recipe when you’re running out of groceries and need to make a meal out of a small slab of meat and half of a bell pepper.
The same old takeout fried rice can get boring after a while, so customize your own fried rice recipe with your favorite veggies and proteins. One of my favorite combinations of fried rice is bean sprouts, sliced red peppers, and snap peas with a touch of the spicy and sweet Lao Gan Ma Chili Sauce, a sauce personally endorsed by John Cena.
6. Vegetable Lo Mein
Hate it when your takeout lo mein comes with an unwanted pool of cooking oil? Skip the Chinese takeout box and pick up a pot and a pan to complete this easy noodle recipe that won’t make you regret eating the whole plateful.
These simple, clean ingredients will leave you satisfied from a fulfilling mix of nutrients and make for a quick go-to dinner recipe. If you’re like me and feel cheated by the deficiency of vegetables in your takeout lo mein, hike up the amount or variety of vegetables in your lo mein with ingredients like eggplant, bok choy, or spinach.
7. Egg Drop Soup
Egg drop soup is a common Chinese restaurant item, but it’s not exactly the most take-out friendly dish on the menu. Fear not, because this 10-minute recipe will save you from hunger when you’re in a rush for a warm, light soupy meal.
Pair this recipe with fried rice or noodles for a complete dinner menu. Sometimes when you’ve had a bad day and don’t even feel like putting in the effort to chew, this egg drop soup will bring you life with its silky eggy texture.
#SpoonTip: Don’t forget to stir when pouring in the eggs to produce the nice silky egg effect.
If buying Chinese takeout all the time is straining your wallet, or if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try one of these simple Chinese recipes. Better yet, if you can’t decide what to make for dinner, check your fridge for some of these common ingredients that can be transformed into a quick and easy Chinese dish.